been frequently subject to slight fevers, and was a convalescent when
we came into the bay, where, being sent on shore for a few days,
he conceived himself perfectly recovered, and, at his own desire,
returned on board; but the day following, he had a paralytic stroke,
which in two days more carried him off.

At the request of the king of the island, he was buried on the
_morai_, and the ceremony was performed with as much solemnity as our
situation permitted. Old Kaoo and his brethren were spectators, and
preserved the most profound silence and attention, whilst the service
was reading. When we began to fill up the grave, they approached
it with great reverence, threw in a dead pig, some cocoa-nuts, and
plantains; and, for three nights afterward, they surrounded it,
sacrificing hogs, and performing their usual ceremonies of hymns and
prayers, which continued till day-break.

At the head of the grave we erected a post, and nailed upon it
a square piece of board, on which was inscribed the name of the
deceased, his age, and the day of his death. This they promised not to
remove; and we have no doubt but that it will be suffered to remain as
long as the frail materials of which it is made will permit.

The ships being in great want of fuel, the captain desired me, on the
2d of February, to treat with the priests, for the purchase of the
rail that surrounded the top of the _morai_. I must confess, I had,
at first, some doubt about the decency of this proposal, and was
apprehensive, that even the bare mention of it might be considered, by
them, as a piece of shocking impiety. In this, however, I found myself
mistaken. Not the smallest surprise was expressed at the application,
and the wood was readily given, even without stipulating for any thing
in return. Whilst the sailors were taking it away, I observed one of
them carrying off a carved image; and, on farther enquiry, I found
that they had conveyed to the boats the whole semicircle.[1] Though
this was done in the presence of the natives, who had not shewn any
mark of resentment at it, but had even assisted them in the removal.
I thought it proper to speak to Kaoo on the subject, who appeared very
indifferent about the matter, and only desired, that we would restore
the centre image I have mentioned before, which he carried into one of
the priests houses.

[Footnote 1: See description of the _morai_ in the preceding Section.]

Terreeoboo and his chiefs had for som